The United Nations human rights chief said today she deeply regrets the execution in the United States of Mexican national Humberto Leal García, stating that it is a breach of Washington’s obligations under international law.

Mr. Leal García was sentenced to death for murder in the state of Texas in February 1998. He was executed yesterday after a last minute decision by the US Supreme Court denying a stay of execution.

“The execution of Mr. Leal García places the US in breach of international law,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who is currently on official mission in Mexico.

“I am very disappointed that neither the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles nor the Governor took steps open to them to prevent this breach of the US obligations under international law from occurring,” she stated.